25.09.2015

Archbishop Justinian: "Ilyumzhinov successfully revived Buddhism"

On September 23, the website "Orthodoxy and the World" published an interview with the Archbishop of Elista and Kalmykia Justinian, which noted the great contribution to FIDE president, 1st president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in the spiritual revival of the country.
– Now Kalmyks are actively looking for themselves. For the leaders of the people, what was Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, It was natural for the leaders of the people, such as Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to fulfil forcibly destroyed religious component. Buddhism in Kalmykia was destroyed as well as signs of Christianity.

At the same time, the Kalmyks remembered their ties with Tibet, because even Ayuka Khan, who lived during the reign of Emperor Peter the Great, was recognized by the Dalai Lama, who had once sent him a letter and, speaking our language, his blessing .
Kalmyks made regular pilgrimages to Tibet and its educational centers. This path was repeated by Ilyumzhinov, who sent young people to study in the Dalai Lama's entourage and invited the monks here. Now there are more than 30 priests in the Central Khurul of Elista.
Now we can clearly see the renewal of Buddhism almost from nothing and this is the "right of Buddhism", which has its own controls, monasteries and schools. Some traditions are still maintained as, for example, tanks - Buddhist icons. And these shrines were kept in families even in exile.
Now, in addition to the Central Khurul (built on the initiative and with the personal funds of Ilyumzhinov), the Kalmyks have places of worship in the district centers and other large settlements. Today Buddhism is being revived in Kalmykia quite successfully - said Archbishop Justinian.